21. Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Esme was on it; she took over and we landed gracefully on our still-human feet. Thanks.

I've got your back.

I nuzzled her affectionately in reply then I complained aloud. ‘Nina! You have got to stop doing that!'

Sorry, she said sheepishly. I got carried away.

‘No shit,' I muttered and checked the bag was still okay. It was fine; anyway, I suspected it would take more than a little bump to damage the orb.

I was back in the room where the orb was supposed to reside and it was clear that Nina had been working on it. When I was last there, the red walls had been peeling and the room had smelled of neglect, so it showed something of her faith in me that she'd completely redecorated. She had believed the orb would be restored and she'd brought the room back to an appropriate standard. This time she'd painted the walls a cool blue and had lights fitted. The focal point of the room was still the stone dais that the orb was supposed to occupy.

I brushed down my clothes and took a deep breath. This was the moment I'd worked towards for weeks – months even. It felt like a lifetime ago since I'd stood over Yorick's corpse and Reynard had first hinted about the gargoyles' air powers, and I'd been on course to find it since then. Admittedly, the universe seemed hellbent on sending me problem after problem to delay me; even Daniella's kidnapping had felt like some sort of test by the powers-that-be. But I'd done it: I'd finally got the orb and it had all led to this moment.

I licked my lips, reached into the bag and pulled it out, then dropped the bag to the floor. This moment needed my full attention. Holding the orb in both hands, I walked slowly towards the plinth with my hands outstretched. Carefully, reverently, I laid it on its spot on the stone dais. I held my breath and waited for it to light up.

Nothing happened.

Is it working? Terrance asked.

I stared at the dull orb and expelled my breath in a sharp huff. I don't think so. Nina, can you do something? You turned it off – can you turn it back on again? I asked hopefully .

I compelled it to sleep, she admitted. Now it is so deeply asleep that I can't compel it to do anything. My vampyr-thrall powers have nothing to grasp to work with.

I reached out with my piping magic but there was nothing to hold on to. Wake up! I tried, but I wasn't holding anything in my thrall for it to obey me. I tried again with the orb in my hand and then again with me humming a tune. Nothing.

I felt the first stirrings of panic. This wasn't how I'd envisioned this moment. I finally had the orb and I couldn't make the damned thing work!

Before panic seized me, Terrance gave a thoughtful hum. There is an ember there still, as there is within you. He sounded as if he was musing aloud.

‘What do you mean?' I demanded.

There's an ember of fire elemental magic within you, he explained.

‘I was extinguished,' I said flatly.

Almost. But something remains, a memory of a flame. So it is with the orb – there is a whisper of all that was. We just need to work out how to fan it.

‘So there's hope?'

There's always hope, Nina chimed in. Perhaps between us, Terrance and I can work it out. Her tone was optimistic with a hint of slyness; she had missed Terrance and she wanted an opportunity for them to hang out. I wasn't planning any more heists or excursions, so I saw no reason to keep them apart.

‘Sure. I'll leave Terrance here with the orb – if that's okay with him?' I stifled a smile. I knew full well that it was.

Of course, Your Majesty. He sounded pleased. I'd love to stay with Nina – to help her awaken the orb, he added hastily.

Of course, Nina agreed quickly. We'll work on it tirelessly, Lucy. You have our word on that.

Suppressing a smile, I nodded. ‘Wonderful. That's agreed, then. I'll leave Terrance here with you, Nina.'

I pulled off the crown and set it on top of the orb, just in case Terrance needed any sort of physical proximity to work with. I gave him an awkward pat and made my way out of the room.

I've missed you, Terry, Nina purred.

And I you, my sweet girl, he cooed.

Do you know, Terry, I'm not really a girl. Not anymore. I haven't been so for a long time. As a vampyr, I can be any age you want me to be. Her tone was arch.

Neither of them had realised I could hear their conversation so I hustled to the front door as quickly as I could, lest I heard something I couldn't un hear. My cheeks were already burning a little. I'd known they felt affection for each other, but before I'd sensed Terrance's emotions I'd assumed it was like that between siblings. Nina's tone made it clear that she was not feeling sisterly towards Terrance.

Despite my haste, I still heard Terrance murmur, I want you to be whatever age you want to be . It is your mind and soul that I admire.

Admiration? Is that all you have for me, Terrance? Suddenly Nina sounded subdued.

You know it's not!

Good. Nina perked right up. Because I have more than just admiration for you.

Do you, now?

I all but ran out of the house and slammed the door behind me. If this degenerated into dirty talk, I wanted to hear none of it. Without physical bodies how could they even…? My thoughts trailed off. There was more to love and companionship than sex, and clearly Nina and Terrance had whatever that ‘more' was. Well, well. Who'd have thought it?

I was quietly happy for my house and my crown. Now I had to work out a way to let them be together, awaken the orb and restore a true connection to the Great Pack. Easy-peasy .

I was a woman with a to-do list and I could do anything if it was on that list. The world was my oyster, it just didn't know it yet.